llews Section Editor: Eileen Velthuis the other press clicoastoichis net February 26, 2003 DSU Hosts Anti-War Conference Vancouver Rape Relief Needs On Saturday March 1, the Douglas Students’ Union (DSU) and the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) Vancouver branch are hosting “The Roots of War and the Paths to Peace,” an all day conference. at Douglas College's New Westminster campus. The purpose is to help people across the Lower Mainland understand the current world situa- tion and what’s happening in Iraq and Palestine today through discussion, and to help them fig- ure out what to do about it. “It's becoming more and more clear there's a shift going on. At the end of the day [the con- ference is] a chance to get out and meet people in different organizations who want to resist war,” Macdonald Stainsby, External Relations Coordinator for the DSU said. The ISM-Vancouver is a local branch of activists who promote non-violent resistance to wars. Conference speakers will include Riadh Muslih from the Canadian Arab Justice Committee, Palestinian economist Dr. Adel Samara, and Hanna Kawas from the Canada Palestine Association, among others. There will be a final panel involving the audi- ence and many anti-war groups. The question for discussion is: “Where do we go from here?” After the conference there will be a music, art and poetry benefit. Entertainment will include Palestinian folk dancing, raffles, a silent auction, music by Coin Gutter and readings by a street- poet. Stainsby said there will be on-site childcare for those who bring children. Douglas College students who bring ID will get free entry to the conference. For those who arent students, a five to fifteen dollar sliding scale is in effect—give what you can. “But we're not going to deny anyone entry,” Stainsby said. All proceeds raised go to the ISM’s Vancouver branch. The conference will be held at DC’s New Westminster campus, room 2201 (lecture the- atre). Registration starts at 10:30a.m. and seat- ing is limited. The conference starts at 1la.m. and goes until tentatively 6:30p.m. and the ben- efit runs until late. For more information or to see an updated list of speakers go to . Anyone who wants to help out can get in touch with Macdonald Stainsby at 604-527- 5113 or by email at . To help out with the benefit or the on-site childcare email . Volunteers Eileen Velthuis News Editor Vancouver Rape Relief and women’s shelter is calling for vol- unteers for their 24 hour crisis line and transition house for women and children. Founded in 1973 by two women, Vancouver Rape Relief provides a host of services, such as the crisis line, transition house, and Support, Education and Action, a confidential, women’s only support group for women who have experienced any type of male violence in their lives. According to the University of Victoria’s sexual assault cen- tre, one in four women will be assaulted in their lifetime, and 20.2 percent of female students surveyed said they have had unwanted sexual intercourse at one time or another because they felt pressured by a man. The Support, Education and Action support group uses peer support and education to discuss situations, support members and plan action towards the changing of violence statistics. The crisis line is available all day, seven days a week and needs many volunteers. The transition house opened in 1981 in order to offer a safe place for women to go where they are free from the fear of assault, also needs volunteers to run. Training for the crisis line and the shelter begins immediate- ly and sessions are held Tuesday evenings. For more information or for an interview, call 604-872- 8212, or visit their website at . Be Wary of Media Biases: Governor General Clarkson speaks on media ethics and advertising Denise Brunsdon The McGill Daily The Students' Union Pride Collective meets Wednesdays at 4:00pm in the Pride Resource Room (Room 110 in the Students’ Union Building). All lesbian, gay, bi, transgendered, questioning and allied students are welcome. MONTREAL (CUP)—Canada’s Governor General sharply criticized the media on Friday when she delivered the keynote address at the conference “Who Controls Canada’s Media?” Adrienne Clarkson, who spent close to 30 years as a journalist and broadcaster, identified media concentration, biased reporting, and advertising as major issues of concern. “I am focusing today on the lack of sense of media concentration,” said Clarkson, who began her speech by saying that she feels she has a unique insight into the thoughts of Canadians. “T ask them what they think, and they tell me an awful lot.” According to Clarkson, the perceived journal- istic code of ethics is not as clear as it once was, and that is hurting Canadians. “The line between news and editing is becom- ing increasingly blurred,” said Clarkson. “Propaganda, ideology, and bias are extremely easy to promote in any media outlet. The people need diverse and quality sources of informa- tion.” Clarkson also said that media outlets should have responsible advertising. “An ad shown in a newscast is part of that newscast,” said Clarkson. The Governor General then quoted former McGill professor Stephen Leacock’s famous line that “advertising is the sci- ence of arresting the human intelligence long enough to get money from it.” Speaking to an audience of media profession- als and students, the Governor General stressed the importance of professionalism, especially in the face of a multicultural and diverse Canadian society. “The audience that you are really looking for today is different. We have a new kind of society in Canada. The immigrants of today are differ- ent. They come from countries where war, strife, and destitution have been the norm. These are the people who need information so badly,” said Clarkson. “The people we now receive need dif- ferent education and different acculturation.” Before becoming Governor General, Clarkson worked as a journalist for the newsmagazine The Fifth Estate and spent 11 years as executive pro- ducer and host of the program, Adrienne Clarkson Presents, on CBC. In her capacity as Governor General, Clarkson represents the Queen and is Canada’s de facto head of state. “Who Controls Canada’s Media?” was the annual conference presented by The McGill Institute for the Study of Canada. The event fea- tured a series of panel discussions related to issues of media concentration. Douglas Students’ Union Local 18-Canadian Federation of Students